Monthly Archives: June 2010

Montanez DL’ed; Bergesen Back Again

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The Orioles have placed OF Lou Montanez on the 15 day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle and recalled RHP Brad Bergesen to make today’s start.

Montanez wasn’t seeing any playing time whatsoever anyway so theres nothing wrong with this move. I was hoping for Garrett Atkins to get released but I guess that will have to wait until Felix Pie is activated from the disabled list around July 2nd. Bergesen made two starts for AAA Norfolk while he was down, giving up 5 runs over 7.2 innings on 10 hits, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He wasn’t great down there but gets the nod anyway. Someone needs to take control of the 5th starter’s spot, hopefully Bergesen can do it. Koji Uehara was speculated to come off the DL today but thats been pushed back to either tomorrow or Tuesday. Frank Mata and Matt Albers are the relievers on the bubble for that decision. I lean towards Albers being DFA’d but Mata will probably be demoted to AAA Norfolk because he has options left.

Down On The Farm: June 25th

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AAA Norfolk 0, Louisville 7

LHP Troy Patton – 5.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, L (5-8) (5.09 ERA)
RHP Andy Mitchell – 3.1 IP, 5 H, ER, BB (7.90 ERA)
RF Jeff Salazar – 2-4 (.285 AVG)
3B Josh Bell – 1-4, double (23) (.268 AVG)
1B Nolan Reimold – 1-3 (.213 AVG)

AA Bowie 5, Altoona 1

LHP Zach Britton – 8 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 9 K, W (7-3) (2.48 ERA) – Minor League Player Of The Night
3B Ryan Adams – 2-4, R, RBI, double (20), HR (4) (.274 AVG)
1B Joel Guzman – 2-3 (.282 AVG)
C Caleb Joseph – 1-2, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR (6) (.249 AVG)
DH Robert Widlansky – 1-4, R, double (13) (.276 AVG)

A+ Frederick 11, Winston-Salem 2

LHP Rick Zagone – 6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 K, W (5-6) (3.20 ERA)
DH Felix Pie – 1-3, R, BB (.375 AVG)
RF Ronnie Welty – 2-4, R, 3 RBI (.255 AVG)
1B Joe Mahoney – 2-5, solo HR (8) (.305 AVG)
2B Miguel Abreu – 3-5, 3 RBI, double (5) (.272 AVG)
3B Bill Rowell – 2-4, 2 R, 2 doubles (9) (.239 AVG)
LF Kyle Hudson – 2-4, 2 R, SB (19) (.255 AVG)

A Delmarva 2, Lakewood 5

RHP Luis Noel – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, K (3.45 ERA)
RHP Thomas Phelps – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 K (0.00 ERA)
1B Tyler Townsend – 2-4, RBI, double (1) (.500 AVG)
CF Steve Bumbry – 2-4, R, 2 doubles (16) (.284 AVG)

A Delmarva 1, Lakewood 2

LHP Nathan Moreau – 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K, L (2-3) (2.98 ERA)
RF Brian Conley – 1-2, R, BB, double (12) (.294 AVG)
1B Tyler Townsend – 1-3, RBI (.471 AVG)
SS Garabez Rosa – 1-3, double (22) (.261 AVG)

Short A Aberdeen 1, Staten Island 4

RHP Scott Copeland – 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, L (0-1) (5.14 ERA)
LHP Ashur Tolliver – 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 K (1.93 ERA)
SS Pedro Florimon – 2-4 (.158 AVG)
LF Kipp Schutz – 2-3 (.333 AVG)
RF Zach Moore – 2-4 (.250 AVG)

Rookie Bluefield 4, Danville 9

RHP Daurin Tavarez – 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K, L (0-1) (3.00 ERA)
2B Moises Ciriaco – 0-2, R, 2 BB (.091 AVG)
DH Brenden Webb – 0-2, 2 BB (.333 AVG)
3B Michael Mosby – 2-4, R, RBI, 2 doubles (2) (.375 AVG)
RF Christopher Clinton – 1-3, BB, double (1) (.333 AVG)

GCL Orioles 6, Rays 4

LHP Mike Gonzalez – IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K (0.00 ERA)
SS Jonathan Schoop – 1-4, 2 R, BB (.353 AVG)
C Justin Dalles – 1-1, R, RBI, 2 BB, double (1) (.222 AVG)
DH David Rivera – 1-3, RBI, 2 BB (.125 AVG)
RF Jose Nivar – 2-4, RBI, BB, double (1) (.214 AVG)
2B Pedro Rodriguez – 3-3, R (.636 AVG)

7-6 Comeback, Walkoff Win

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W – Alfredo Simon (2-1)     L – Tyler Clippard (8-4)

What team is this? Back to back wins in impressive fashion? I’ll take it. The offense did a great job last night overcoming a 6-0 defecit to win it in the bottom of the 9th. We chipped away throughout the night after Jake Arrieta gave up 6 runs over 4.1 innings in his second consecutive bad start. It wasn’t quite as bad as his effort in San Diego last week but nowhere near the quality of his first two starts. Its not easy to adjust to the major leagues. He’ll be alright. Five of the runs were earned on 8 hits and 3 walks and he struck out two batters. Mark Hendrickson relieved him in the 5th inning after a walk by Arrieta and did a fine job to get out of the inning. He also pitched a scoreless 6th. Frank Mata pitched a scoreless 7th and got the first out of the 8th before Will Ohman came in to finish the inning. Alfredo Simon got into some trouble in the 9th allowing a couple of singles but was able to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the inning. Kudos to the bullpen for keeping the Nationals off the board as the game was getting closer and closer.

The offense cut the lead in half in the 5th inning scoring three runs. Julio Lugo reached on an error, Cesar Izturis and Corey Patterson each singled to load the bases, and Miguel Tejada lifted a sacrifice fly to score the first one. Nick Markakis singled in the next and Adam Jones singled in the final run of the inning. In the 8th Matt Wieters led off with a walk and Scott Moore hit a clutch pinch hit homerun to make it a one run ballgame. Izturis doubled and scored on another Patterson single to tie it up. Another Wieters walk started the rally in the bottom of the 9th. It was followed by a Moore single and then Lugo hit a double play ball but fortunately for us Cristian Guzman threw the ball away on the turn allowing Wieters to score the winning run. It was a walk off error but we’ll take it. A win is a win, especially for the 2010 Baltimore Orioles. Patterson had a great game with three singles, a walk, and two stolen bases. His only out was on a ball that he hit over the fence but Nyjer Morgan made a tremendous leap at the fence to rob him. One of the best plays of the year. Nick Markakis also had three singles and a walk. The momentum appears to finally be heading in the right direction for this team.

Player of the game: Corey Patterson – 3-4, R, RBI, BB, 2 SB (12) (.268 AVG)

Game two of the series is late this afternoon. Brad Bergesen (3-4, 6.50) makes his return from the minors against Livan Hernandez (6-4, 2.82).

Bats Awaken In 11-5 Win

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W – Kevin Millwood (2-8)     L – Nate Robertson (5-6)

Kevin Millwood wouldn’t have lost his first eight decisions if he was getting run support like this.. In his last two starts he hasn’t pitched that well but still came away with the victory, especially last night. Its like the opposite of the first two months. Millwood was barely able to make it out of the 5th inning last night, throwing 116 pitches in the process. The first inning continues to be a problem for the big right hander and he gave up two runs in the initial frame last night. Altogether he allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks over 5 innings with 3 strikeouts. Its been a while since hes pitched good, you’d have to think the losing is getting to him. Jason Berken was on his game, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three batters. His slider was particularly effective, striking out all-star Hanley Ramirez on three straight in one instance. David Hernandez tossed a perfect 8th striking out two batters. With Berken and Hernandez it looks like we have a nice building block for the bullpen. If we can get Koji Uehara, Jim Johnson, and Mike Gonzalez healthy and pitching well we’d be in business. Someone that isn’t pitching well, Matt Albers, gave up a run in the 9th on a pair of hits. Koji is expected to be back tomorrow and I’m hoping Albers gets the axe.

The 3rd inning is when the offense started their onslaught and would you believe Craig Tatum got it started? Well he did with a lead off double. Cesar Izturis reached on a bunt hit and Julio Lugo singled to score Tatum. Miguel Tejada singled to score Izturis, Nick Markakis singled to load the bases, and Ty Wiggington singled to score Lugo. Luke Scott lifted a sacrifice fly to take a 4-3 lead and Adam Jones ripped an RBI double to add another. It was Jones again in the 5th when he belted his second homerun in as many games and his fourth in his last eight games. Hes starting to put it together and resemble to guy we saw for the first two months of 2009. In the 6th Scott hit his 14th double of the season to score Tejada, who had singled. It was Tejada’s best game of the season. He finally hit his 5th homerun in the 7th, a three run shot, after Tatum singled and Lugo was hit by a pitch. The guy that started it all also put the final run on the board when Tatum hit his second double of the game to score Jones who had singled. Where has this been all year? I’m sure its just an anomaly but maybe the light finally came on. There were signs of it Wednesday night until Juan Samuel took the game out of our hands. Maybe its a coincidence that it coincides with Markakis stepping up as a leader, making strong comments in the paper and meeting with owner Peter Angelos to talk about the future of the club, or maybe it made a difference. All I know is it was a rare fun game to watch in this dreadful season and I’d love to say that more often as we reach the second half and beyond.

Player of the game: Miguel Tejada – 4-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, HR (5) (.282 AVG)

The Nationals come into town for a weekend series starting tonight. We miss Stephen Strasburg, which I’m sure our hitters are thankful for, but we don’t miss JD Martin (0-3, 3.55) because he pitches tonight against our own Jake Arrieta (2-1, 5.06).

Down On The Farm: June 24th

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AAA Norfolk 5, Lehigh Valley 3

RHP Chris Tillman – 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, K, W (6-4) (2.97 ERA) – This was Tillman’s first start since being demoted earler this week. The fact that he went 6 IP on 77 pitches and got half of his outs on the ground is good but only one strikeout says to me he still doesn’t have his stuff back.
CF Matt Angle – 1-3, R (.274 AVG)
DH Rhyne Hughes – 2-3, 2 RBI, BB (.273 AVG)
3B Josh Bell – 1-4, 2 RBI, double (22) (.268 AVG)
LF Joey Gathright – 2-3, 2 R, triple (2), SB (12) (.186 AVG)

AA Bowie 6, Reading 3

RHP Chorye Spoone – 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, W (6-5) (3.36 ERA)
DH Ryan Adams – 2-5, R, RBI, double (19) (.271 AVG)
LF Tyler Henson – 2-5, 2 R, RBI, double (20), HR (7) (.294 AVG)
RF Joel Guzman – 2-5, 2 R, RBI (.277 AVG)
1B Robert Widlansky – 3-5, RBI (.277 AVG)
3B Brandon Waring – 2-4, RBI, double (14) (.234 AVG)

A+ Frederick 4, Winston-Salem 7

LHP Oliver Drake – 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (3.96 ERA)
DH Felix Pie – 2-5, RBI (.400 AVG) – Pie continues his rehab assignment. He’ll stay here until early next week when he moves on to AA Bowie.
CF Xavier Avery – 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB (17) (.292 AVG)
RF Ronnie Welty – 2-4, R, SB (7) (.251 AVG)

Short A Aberdeen 8, Staten Island 5

LHP Justin Anderson – 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (2.19 ERA)
2B LJ Hoes – 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, double (5), HR (1) (.500 AVG) – Minor League Player Of The Night
1B David Anderson – 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR (1) (.333 AVG)
LF Tyler Kolodny – 1-2, R, 2 BB (.227 AVG)
DH Mike Flacco – 2-4, R, RBI, BB (.333 AVG)

Rookie Bluefield 4, Pulaski 5

RHP David Baker – 3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (6.00 ERA)
RHP Zachary Petersime – 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, K, L (0-1) (0.00 ERA)
CF Brenden Webb – 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, double (1), HR (1) (.400 AVG)
SS Vincent Zazueta – 1-3, R (.143 AVG)

GCL Orioles 6, Red Sox 2

RHP Derek Hanks – 3 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K (3.00 ERA)
LHP Yancorix Adrian – 4 IP, 0 ER, BB, 7 K, W (1-0) (0.00 ERA)
RHP Jose Mota – 2 IP, 0 ER, BB, 3 K (0.00 ERA)
SS Jonathan Schoop – 2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR (2) (.385 AVG)
1B Gino Moranci – 2-3, BB (.667 AVG)

Battle Of Interim Managers Lost 7-5

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W – Ricky Nolasco (6-6)     L – Brian Matusz (2-8)     SV – Leo Nunez (16)

Orioles fans can only hope Andy MacPhail and Peter Angelos speed up the hiring process for our long term manager. Juan Samuel is not that man. With the Orioles trailing the Marlins 6-4 in the bottom of the 8th inning we had runners on first and second after Luke Scott walked and Adam Jones singled to lead off the inning. There were no outs and Matt Wieters was up next. Wieters has shown signs of breaking out of his major slump and with Scott Moore and Cesar Izturis due to follow him I figured this would be our best chance to get back into the game. Instead Samuel decides to have Wieters attempt a bunt, something I’m sure he hasn’t done in a game for a very long time. Predictably he didn’t lay down a good one, tapping it two feet in front of the plate and the lead runner was thrown out at third. If you’re dead set on bunting in that situation why wouldn’t you use Julio Lugo to do it since hes shown the ability to get the job done? Scott Moore followed with a strike out, Jake Fox walked pinch hitting for Izturis, and Corey Patterson reached on an infield single to score a run. That would be it though for the ruined inning. Our other runs came in one of our better innings of the year. With one out in the 2nd inning Scott and Jones went back to back with homeruns that were both crushed. Wieters singled, Izturis doubled, and Patterson singled to make it 4-0. Miguel Tejada singled twice in the game.

Brian Matusz had a very similar outing as Jeremy Guthrie had the night before. After the offense gave him a four run cushion to work with he immediately gave it right back. Two two run homers tied the game back up in the top of the third. Matusz was good for most of the night but just left two balls in the middle of the plate and paid for it. Thats nine homeruns over his last seven starts after only giving up two in his first eight. He gave up two more runs in the 7th inning as he looked like he was starting to tire. A lead off walk scored on a double and another double brought in the other run. David Hernandez was brought in and looked very good, striking out three batters over 1.2 innings and only allowing a single in the process. Hes the best pitcher in the bullpen and I think it was too hasty to remove him from the closers role after one bad outing. Alfredo Simon did nothing to dispel that notion in the top of the 9th, giving up a run on back to back doubles. It would’ve been worse too if Jake Fox didn’t throw out Chris Coghlan trying to steal third because the next two batters each singled to make it four hits in a row. The ending finally ended on a line drive to center field. Just another game we snatched from the jaws of victory to lose.

Player of the game: Adam Jones – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR (10) (.266 AVG)

The O’s try to avoid another sweep tonight. Kevin Millwood (1-8, 5.12) will try to achieve the unthinkable, two wins in a row. Nate Robertson (5-5, 4.44) pitches for Florida.

Down On The Farm: June 23rd

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AAA Norfolk 5, Lehigh Valley 4

LHP Chris George – 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K, W (3-2) (4.18 ERA)
LF Jeff Salazar – 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB (.284 AVG)
C Michel Hernandez – 2-4 (.274 AVG)
SS Blake Davis – 1-2, R, RBI, BB (.224 AVG)

AA Bowie 3, Reading 8

RHP Steve Johnson – 3 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, BB, K, L (3-5) (5.20 ERA)
2B Ryan Adams – 2-4 (.268 AVG)
1B Robert Widlansky – 1-4, 3 Run HR (4) (.270 AVG)
RF Jonathan Tucker – 2-3, SB (12) (.250 AVG)
SS Carlos Rojas – 1-3, double (3) (.287 AVG)

Short A Aberdeen 5, Staten Island 6

LHP Jason Gurka – 3 IP, H, 0 ER, 4 K (0.00 ERA)
2B LJ Hoes – 2-4, 2 R, 2 doubles (4) (.474 AVG) – I think its time for Hoes to get back to A+ Frederick. Hes been dominating the New York-Penn League.
LF Kipp Schutz – 2-5, R, 3 RBI, triple (2) (.278 AVG)
1B David Anderson – 2-4, 2 RBI, BB (.357 AVG)
3B Adam Gaylord – 3-5 (.391 AVG)
C Joe Oliveira – 2-4, R (.182 AVG)

Rookie Bluefield 14, Pulaski 0

RHP Angel Cespedes – 5 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, BB, K, W (1-0) (0.00 ERA)
LF Kyle Hoppy – 1-3, R, 2 BB (.375 AVG)
3B Brad Decater – 3-4, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB, double (1) (.750 AVG)
1B Corey Thomas – 3-6, 4 R, 3 RBI, HR (1) (.300 AVG)
DH Michael Ohlman – 3-5, 2 R, RBI, BB, double (1) (.333 AVG)
RF Eiris Ramirez – 3-4, R, 3 RBI, 2 doubles (2), triple (1) (.750 AVG) – Minor League Player Of The Night

GCL Orioles 8, Red Sox 10

LHP Enrico Jimenez – 3 IP, 3 H, ER, 6 K (3.00 ERA)
RHP Douglas Ferguson – 3 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 3 K (3.00 ERA)
CF Martin Serrata – 3-5, 3 R, RBI, triple (1) (.600 AVG)
1B Tyler Townsend – 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 doubles (4) (.385 AVG)
LF Preston Hale – 3-5, RBI, 3 doubles (3) (.357 AVG)
2B Pedro Rodriguez – 3-4, 2 R, double (1) (.750 AVG)

Down On The Farm: June 22nd

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AAA Norfolk 9, Lehigh Valley 4

RHP Tim Bascom – 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K, W (1-2) (4.86 ERA)
RHP Armando Gabino – 2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K (2.36 ERA)
CF Matt Angle – 1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (6) (.273 AVG)
LF Jeff Salazar – 2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (12) (.279 AVG)
3B Josh Bell – 2-4, BB, double (21) (.273 AVG)
RF Rhyne Hughes – 2-4, R, BB (.269 AVG)
2B Robert Andino – 2-5, 2 R, 2 doubles (19) (.240 AVG)

AA Bowie 5, Reading 7

LHP Nathan Nery – 5 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 3 K, L (0-1) (9.00 ERA) – Nery was promoted from A+ Frederick where he had a 3.79 ERA in 13 starts.
LF Tyler Henson – 1-4, R, double (19) (.292 AVG)
1B Joel Guzman – 2-4, 2 R, double (12) (.275 AVG)
3B Brandon Waring – 2-4, R, 3 RBI, double (13), HR (12) (.233 AVG) – Minor League Player Of The Night

Short A Aberdeen 3, Brooklyn 9

RHP Tim Adleman – 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 K (0.00 ERA)
DH LJ Hoes – 1-3, R, RBI (.467 AVG)
LF Tyler Kolodny – 1-3, BB, 2 Run HR (1) (.188 AVG)
1B Mike Flacco – 1-2, 2 BB (.250 AVG)

Rookie Bluefield 4, Pulaski 8

LHP Jarrett Martin – 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, L (0-1) (4.50 ERA)
LF Kyle Hoppy – 2-5, R, RBI, double (1) (.400 AVG)
CF Brenden Webb – 1-2, RBI, BB, SB (1) (.500 AVG)
RF Luis Ramirez – 2-3, R, RBI, triple (1) (.667 AVG)

GCL Orioles 6, Twins 1

LHP Mike Gonzalez – IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K (0.00 ERA) – Gonzalez was making his first rehab appearance since going on the disabled list after the first week of the season. Hes aiming for an early July activation.
RHP Aaron Swenson – 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, W (1-0) (0.00 ERA)
3B Dudley Leonora – 2-4 (.500 AVG)
SS Jonathan Schoop – 2-5, R, 2 RBI (.333 AVG)
LF Preston Hale – 2-5, 2 RBI, triple (1) (.222 AVG)
DH Felix Pie – 1-4, R (.125 AVG)

In the A+ all-star game Frederick’s RF Ronnie Welty was 1-1 with an RBI and SS Greg Miclat was 2-2. RHP Jose Duran was saddled with the loss, giving up a run in 0.2 IP with a strikeout.

In the A all-star game Delmarva’s SS Garabez Rosa was 0-2 and RF Brian Conley was 0-1. RHP Jesse Beal pitched an inning giving up a run on two hits with a strikeout.

Orioles Fall To Marlins 10-4

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W – Anibal Sanchez (7-4)     L – Jeremy Guthrie (3-9)

Jeremy Guthrie started out rough again, giving up four runs in the top of the 2nd inning. A lead off walk, three singles, and a double put the Orioles in an early deficit. Guthrie wasn’t locating his fastball very well and his slider wasn’t effective. It looked like things started to click in the 3rd inning as he retired 12 of the next 13 batters he faced and didn’t let the Marlins score another run until the 7th inning. Again it was a lead off walk that led to trouble. Gaby Sanchez followed with an RBI double and that was it for Guthrie. Jason Berken came in and immediately gave up an RBI single but retired the next three batters in order. He stayed on for the 8th and got in trouble with back to back singles to open the inning. Scott Moore didn’t help things when he threw away a double play that would’ve ended the inning, allowing a run to score. Matt Albers started the 9th but didn’t make it very far. He gave up three consecutive singles to load the bases before being taken out of the game for Frank Mata. The first batter he faced also singled, scoring two more runs. Back to back groundouts got another run in before the inning ended with a tapper back to the mound.

It was nice to see the offense respond right away to Florida’s four run inning with three runs of their own in the bottom half. Ty Wiggington led off with a double, Adam Jones singled, and Matt Wieters hit an opposite field three run homer. It wasn’t nice that the offense shut down after that, only scoring one more run on a Luke Scott sacrifice fly in the 8th inning. Jones continues his steady climb back to respectability with another multi-hit game. He even looks better at the plate. Hes still swinging at the occasional down and away breaking ball but on one of his outs he stayed on a breaking ball on the outer part of the plate and lined it to the right fielder. Thats the approach he needs to use because hes got plenty of power in his swing. No need to try and crush everything, the ball jumps off his bat. Nick Markakis, aka Steady Eddie, had a single, a double, and a stolen base. I think he has to be the Orioles all-star representative for his consistency alone. Miguel Tejada singled twice while Scott Moore and Julio Lugo each had one. Jake Fox made his Orioles debut when he pinch hit for Cesar Izturis. He sent a shot to deep center field but Cody Ross made a nice running catch.

Player of the game: Matt Wieters – 1-3, BB, 3 Run HR (6) (.225 AVG)

It’ll be the Marlins’ first game without Fredi Gonzalez tonight as they surprisingly fired him this morning. Ricky Nolasco (5-6, 4.90) pitches for them against Brian Matusz (2-7, 4.67).

Fantastic Mr. Fox

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The Orioles have traded RHP Ross Wolf to the Oakland A’s for 3B Jake Fox and optioned RHP Chris Tillman to AAA Norfolk. RHP Cla Meredith was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster.

I like this trade because it likely spells the end of 1B Garrett Atkins’ tenure with the club at some point in the near future. I’m not sure why the Orioles didn’t just go ahead and release Atkins today as he is useless to the club. But I’m guessing he’ll be gone by Saturday when Brad Bergesen will be recalled from AAA Norfolk to make the start. With Chris Tillman being sent down that is now a certainty. Tillman struggled very badly in two of his four starts and they’d rather him pitch every five days in AAA than rot in the major league bullpen not seeing any action. Ross Wolf is just a minor league filler with not much major league future at 27 years old so hes not much of a loss. Frank Mata will soon be back in Norfolk to take his place in their bullpen. Wolf had a 2.11 ERA over 38 innings with 26 strikeouts and 15 walks.

Jake Fox struggled this year with the A’s after they traded for him in the offseason. In spare playing time over 98 at bats he hit .214/.264/.327 with 5 doubles, 2 homeruns, and 12 RBI. Thats not good but hes hit very well in his minor league career and has plenty of pop. Last year he hit .409/.495/.841 over 164 at bats with 14 doubles, 3 triples, 17 homeruns, and 53 RBI for AAA Iowa. He was promoted to the Chicago Cubs and proceeded to hit .259/.311/.468 with 12 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 44 RBI over 216 at bats, so there is enough evidence to suggest that he will produce better than he has at this point in the season. Hes 27 years old and can play multiple positions including third base, first base, catcher, and left field. Hes not going to turn us around or anything but its nice to finally see Andy MacPhail go outside of the organization and address our obvious shortcomings. Fox will be in uniform tonight when the Orioles play the Florida Marlins at Camden Yards.